Fresh instructions issued to streamline execution of works
Deptts asked to delete non-priority works from portal
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 3: Even after the approval of the Budget Estimates (BE), the process of conveying Capex ceiling, uploading of works and activities on Budget, Estimation, Allocation and Monitoring System (BEAMS) and release of funds is taking time and taking note of this, the Finance Department has issued fresh instructions to all the departments in order to streamline the execution of developmental works.
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The Rule 136(1) of General Financial Rules, 2017 states: “No work shall be commenced or liability incurred until properly detailed design and technical estimates have been sanctioned, administrative approval and sanction to incur expenditure have been obtained from the competent authority, funds to cover the charge during the year have been provided, tenders have been invited in accordance with the rules and work orders issued”.
In the light of this Rule, the Finance Department of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir vide Circular No.FD/VII-Bgt/2020 dated July 8, 2020 issued detailed instructions to all the departments for strict compliance. It was specifically mentioned that no tenders shall be invited unless administrative approval and technical sanction have been accorded and funds are available in the budget.
However, it has been noticed by the Finance Department that even after approval of the Budget Estimates (BE), process of conveying Capex ceiling, uploading of works/activities on BEAMS and release of funds is taking time.
Taking note of this, the Finance Department, through Director General (Codes), has issued fresh instructions in order to streamline the execution of developmental works. “Departments may tender such works for which administrative approval and technical sanction have been duly obtained and which are part of the developmental works plan as per the approved Budget Estimates and are within the prescribed Capex ceiling”, the Finance Department said.
Stating that departments may undertake tendering for the entire project after confirming the conditions and issue work order based on competitive bidding process, the Finance Department has directed that release of funds through BEAMS should be ensured prior to issuance of work order and subsequent funds shall be released as per the pace of execution of work.
Further, the departments have been asked to simultaneously review ongoing approved works on BEAMS and delete those works which are non-starter or non-priority.
All the executing agencies have already been told to strictly follow norms while inviting tenders and vague terms and conditions should not be included in the tender documents, which should be in conformity with the provisions of the General Financial Rules and procurement guidelines of Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure, Government of India.
“The tender document should be accessible throughout the relevant period. If there is any unnecessary difficulty in downloading the documents it should be brought to the notice of the department concerned”, read the earlier instructions. Moreover, all the Controlling Officers have been told to ensure that no tenders are invited unless administrative approval and technical sanction have been accorded and funds are available in the budget.
It has specifically been conveyed that any violation of these principles of financial propriety shall be construed as irregularity and action as warranted under rules shall be initiated against the delinquent officials including concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs).
All the Administrative Secretaries are required to periodically review the status of tendering procedures followed by the executing agencies to ascertain whether the same is as provided in the General Financial Rules. Further, Director Finance/FA&CAOs in the respective administrative departments are required to oversee whether the tendering procedure is followed as provided in the General Financial Rules and any deviation in this regard is supposed to be reported to the Finance Department.
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